The Witch Song is a traditional folk song that has been passed down through generations. It tells the story of a witch who lives alone in a dark, mysterious forest. The song is often sung around campfires or during celebrations, adding an air of spooky excitement to the atmosphere. In the song, the witch is described as having long, tangled hair and a crooked nose. She is said to cast spells and brew potions in her cauldron. It is believed that she has the power to curse those who cross her path, but also the ability to grant wishes to those who show her kindness.
Wet rose she from the lake
And fast and fleet went she,
One half the form of a maiden fair
With a jet-black mare’s body.
The Sex Pistols God Save the Queen was banned during the Queen s 1977 Silver Jubilee, and three Beatles songs have even been banned for references to drugs and sex. But many others think of Thatcher and explode in fury, blaming her for polarizing the country, violently cracking down on her opponents and pursuing policies that increased inequality.
It is believed that she has the power to curse those who cross her path, but also the ability to grant wishes to those who show her kindness. The main idea of the song is to explore the theme of magic and the unknown. The witch represents a figure of mystery and danger, yet there is also a sense of fascination and curiosity surrounding her.
The Witch of the Westmorlands
Archie Fisher sang his own ballad The Witch of the West-Mer-Lands in 1976 on his Folk-Legacy album The Man With a Rhyme . He commented in his liner notes:
I have borrowed, for this song, the form of the narrative ballad. The ingredients are a mixture of legend, superstition, and ballad themes brought into focus by the Lakeland painter, Joni Turner. As far as I know, the female centaur is not a creature of mythology, and this role of witch disguise was suggested by the tales of antlered women with bodies of deer seen wading in the shallows of the lakes in the moonlight. There are many pleasant and hospitable inns in the Lake District.
Barbara Dickson sang Witch of the Westmorlands in 1971 on her album From the Beggar’s Mantle . Archie Fisher played guitar and concertina on this album, too.
Stan Rogers sang The Witch of the Westmorland in April 1979 live at The Groaning Board, Toronto. This concert was released in the same year on his album Between the Breaks… Live! . He commented in the liner notes:
I first heard this song on Archie Fisher’ beautiful album for Folk-Legacy Records, The Man With a Rhyme , where it is called The Witch of the West-Mer-Lands. In a recent letter, Archie referred to it as simply “Westmoreland”, and I’ve used that spelling here. We have edited three verses from the original, and modernised the language a little for the sake of having the story understood by the average North American listener at the first pass. I highly recommend Archie’s version to those of you who want all the verses.
Grace Notes (Maggie Boyle, Lynda Hardcastle and Helen Hockenhull) sang Witch of the Westmorlands in 1998 on their Fellside CD Red Wine & Promises . Helen Hockenhull commented in the liner notes:
We first heard this song on a Stan Rogers album and learned his version. Later we discovered that it was written by Archie Fisher whose original words were rather different. As the words were difficult enough to learn in the first place we found it impossible to change them (Sorry Archie). The story remains intact however and it is a wonderful epic.
Kate Rusby sang Witch of the Westmorland in 2016 on her CD Life in a Paperboat .
You Are Wolf sang Witch of the Westmerlands on their 2018 album Keld . They noted:
A wonderful narrative folk ballad by Archie Fisher, released in 1976 on his album The Man With a Rhyme . Archie says:
The original myth about female centaurs in Windermere first came to my attention when I saw a painting by the Lake District artist Joni Crosby. Apparently deer used to swim across the shallow end of Lake Windermere and weeds got caught in their antlers and observers, probably wandering home from a local hostelry, took them to be these mythical creatures.
Archie made a sequel called The Return and is working on a prequel for a recording project that will become a trilogy on the Witch theme.
The song invites listeners to imagine a world where magic exists and to consider the consequences that can come from meddling with forces beyond our understanding. The Witch Song serves as a reminder of the power of folklore and storytelling in shaping our imagination and perception of the world. It has been adapted and reinterpreted by various artists over the years, each bringing their own unique twist to the tale. Whether it is sung around a campfire or performed on a stage, the song continues to captivate audiences and keep the legend of the witch alive..
Reviews for "The Witch Song: A Spiritual Journey Through Sound"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Singe the witch song". I found the storyline to be confusing and the characters were poorly developed. The writing style also didn't captivate me and I struggled to stay engaged throughout the book. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this novel to others.
2. Mark - 1 star - "Singe the witch song" was a complete letdown for me. The plot was predictable and lacked originality. The main character was also quite irritating, making it difficult for me to connect with her or care about her journey. The pacing was slow and there were too many unnecessary details. I wouldn't waste my time reading this book again.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Singe the witch song", but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The world-building was weak and the magic system was poorly explained. The romance felt forced and didn't add any depth to the story. I also disliked the writing style, which seemed choppy and disjointed. Overall, I struggled to find anything redeeming about this book.
4. Chris - 2 stars - "Singe the witch song" was an underwhelming read for me. The pacing was uneven, with slow parts that dragged on and rushed endings that left me unsatisfied. The characters lacked depth and their decisions often felt illogical. The overall execution of the plot was messy, and I found myself feeling disconnected from the story. Sadly, this book didn't live up to my expectations.